Manchester United have not done enough in the transfer market this summer, but there is plenty of time for Michael Carrick and his men to make the necessary changes.
Carrick has some new arrivals to join him at Old Trafford next season, however, and his name is Marcus Rashford. Fresh from his title-winning loan spell with Barcelona, the 28-year-old will reunite with his long-term club ahead of the season.
The last time Rashford was involved with United in the competition, he fell to the sideline, and was intercepted by Ruben Amorim. Many expected Rashford to stay in Catalonia permanently, having scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions. The £25m purchase option was minimal, but La Blaugrana opted for Anthony Gordon instead, signing Rashford’s Three Lions team-mate for £69m.
|
Marcus Rashford in the Premier League (Man Utd) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Applications |
Terms + Help |
|
24/25 |
25 |
6 + 4 |
|
23/24 |
33 |
7 + 3 |
|
22/23 |
35 |
17 + 6 |
|
21/22 |
25 |
4 + 2 |
|
20/21 |
37 |
11 + 13 |
|
19/20 |
31 |
17 + 9 |
|
18/19 |
33 |
10 + 7 |
|
17/18 |
35 |
7 + 5 |
|
16/17 |
32 |
5 + 2 |
|
15/16 |
11 |
5 + 2 |
Rashford, by all accounts, is currently set to stay – and yet, INEOS continue to look for players.
Why are Man Utd still looking for wing players?
In some ways, parting ways with Rashford seems silly. He is a highly experienced professional at the Theater of Dreams. He is a young Manchester United fan, and once scored 30 goals in one campaign (2022/23) for the club.
There is a quiet sense that Rashford’s return to Carrick’s side is simply a ploy designed to boost interest in his signing. Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs that have expressed an interest in signing him this summer.
Rashford knows the Premier League well, having scored 89 goals in the competition. However, INEOS is trying to wipe the slate clean, revamping the ranks and reducing the wage bill – Rashford earns £325k a week, making him one of the highest earners in England.
There is a feeling that United are willing to quietly offload Rashford even now, even though his release clause has expired, meaning negotiations could be very difficult.
Reports that United are interested in superstars such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior may be wide of the park, but there are players on the radar of Jason Wilcox and co, and if there is any movement around Rashford’s firms in the coming weeks, there is one man who could make a big difference to Carrick next year.
Man Utd are ready to replace Rashford
Man United has a wide range of profiles. However, Amad Diallo has also been linked with a move away this summer, and while the wily Ivorian striker usually plays on the right, United need to target bigger talent if they are to improve under Carrick’s wing.
Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, Man United are actually ready to replace Rashford with a bigger talent than Amad: West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, who was recently the subject of a £39m bid from Roma.
The Romans sent a request for Crysencio Summerville. Aston Villa are also calling. Roma worked hard to close the deal. Why are Manchester United not progressing? Because Summerville was one of the only options on United’s list if and when Marcus Rashford leaves. At the moment, it isn’t.
With Rashford currently preparing for a return to Old Trafford, INEOS’ interest in Summerville has cooled. However, United have shown a strong interest in West Ham’s Dutch midfielder over the past few months, and his performances for club and country suggest he is ready for the top level.
Kevin Nolan has commented that he was “good” as West Ham finally failed to fight off relegation, the focus of his teammates looking for salvation. He may have failed to keep them at the top, but his powerful running and finesse on the ball are qualities that United need to strengthen their project.
The Dutchman is only 24 years old, and although he is yet to ride the waves, he has emerged from the troubled waters at the London Stadium with a host of top players ready to throw him in the crosshairs.
If he wants to stay in the Premier League, Man United would be the perfect place, allowing him to continue to perform well and play the senior role on the left that the system needs.
While Rashford may be more powerful in front of goal, Summerville has shown he has that in his locker, scoring two goals and two assists each for the Oranje this summer, and won 5.5 duels and completed 1.6 dribbles per game on average in the league last year.
If we take a second look at Diallo, a player who developed and deepened his connection with United fans last season, perhaps we can see that Summerville has more potential than him. The 24-year-old scored just two goals in the Premier League last year, missing six big chances. He won four duels per game on average, but Summerville kept him there.
They are two very different players, but Summerville will prove to be a star, and while uncertainty over Rashford remains, United cannot afford to let him slip.
This is the midfielder who will lift Manchester United. He is much smaller than Rashford and probably has a stronger approach than Diallo.
Mateus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are not outgoing players, and in that Summerville could be the cream of United next year, he carries more burden than Amad while shaving a large financial burden on wages, replacing Rashford.
